The 1/16 Tamiya Leo2A6 is just outrageously expensive. I won't shell out that much money for something that needs to still be built with plastic cement and doesn't even have the controls and other things to make it run out of the box. Accurate, yes. However, expensive. And it doesn't even shoot anything!

So...

My cousin-in-law has R/C cars and R/C 4x4s. Dad got some R/C cars. I like something a bit more different so I want R/C tank. Preferably larger than 1/24 scale (cousin's and dad's RCs are roughly 1/10 to 1/12 scale). I also want something that can shoot BBs and has real working suspension like the real thing. Plus enough battery life for 30 minutes play time or more with quick charging. Prefer modern tanks e.g. M1, Leo2, Challenger, and nothing German WW2 (Tiger?!? Meh... Although Jagdpanther would be nice but it doesn't have a turret).

BTW, IR Systems >>>>> Airsoft gun systems. I have 2 1/24 tanks (Japanese Type 90 and T-72M1) and the IR system is much more fun, as are the Tamiyas when they're kitted out with it. I'll eventually buy the Chieftain kit with IR setup as well.

Tamiyas are just not an option for me because of the expense. If I won the lottery for a zillion gold bullion bars, I would buy a platoon. But then I don't have the time to build it unless I can hire others to do that - which means added cost. Plus, the fact you'll have to glue bits together and such means there's a chance it'll just break apart when played too roughly - and what's the point of playing with a fragile R/C tank if you can't play with it roughly in the field?

Building from scratch is out of the question also. I have no tools and no patience. It'll be a never ending project that'll just sap me of vital funding and time and I will become a much more bitter person than I already am - which is quite a feat actually because I figured I can't get any bitter, but you never know....

I've got an eye on this one. Not committing to it - mebbe next year. Price is nice - sort of. Battery sucks though - you tink I can replace it with something longer lasting?

Stuart: A partially built one with some upgrades cost USD880. That's not cheap. And that was the cheapest in the listing. Everything else is brand new at $$$$, one of which costs as much as my full suspension bike with upgrades (on the bike).

Anyhow, further reading on that Henlong Leo2A6 I'm interested in seems to be a copy of sorts of the Tamiya 'cept it's RTR (ready to run) and much much cheaper. Upgrades will drive the cost up. I think the BB magazine/mechanism impedes the turret from making a 360-degree turn (it does 320). Higher end versions give out exhaust smoke (I wonder if it can create a heavy-ish smoke screen).

Might tell a friend to order one for me when I get my funding sorted out. Will upgrade it (metal tracks with rubber pads, metal wheels and sprockets, etc) if I get the itch.

I told my friend to order the Leo2A6 I linked above for me. Will be paying for it next year. ETA: March 2015 - just in time for summer! Will bring it with me when I go to my cousin's retreat on a summer weekend and target his and dad's RC cars with the Leo's BB. SWEET!!!!!! hehehehe

Is it possible to create a heavy-ish smokescreen with the smoke generator of sorts?

Tamiya is like LEGO apparently - overpriced everywhere. That's why the Chinese manufacturers are doing great in the hobby industry.

My friend confirmed he's ordered it. ETA February 2015. Sweet! I'm looking to get the Clark TK-22somethingwhateveritis board that makes much more realistic sounds. Hook that baby up, install better speakers, and have my cousin watch as I take the Leo out of the van's rear compartment with the engine growling....